Jones named as coach

Philip Jones

Posted by

Thursday, March 31. 2011

Comments (30)

There was a new face this week around Banks County High School learning the layout of the campus and what he will be stepping into starting next month.

The new head coach for the Leopard football program, Philip Jones was on site getting the nickle tour of the facility this week. Jones will be starting at Banks County April 11.

Also on April 11, the All Sports Booster Club will be holding a Community Welcome Meet and Greet at 5:30 p.m. at the high school cafeteria with light refreshments. Community members, football players and parents are encouraged to attend to welcome the new coach. The Booster Club’s monthly meeting will follow the meeting.

Monday, I sat down with the incoming coach to find out about what he thinks as he takes over as the Leopard’s head coach.

Q: What is a little of your background?
Jones: I was raised in a football family. My dad has been a coach for 42 years and my mom was the captain of the very first Falcons’ cheerleadering squad, and I was actually born on a Friday night in the fall. So I really had no other choice, I don’t think than to grow up in a football family.

With my dad being a coach, an assistant at Lithonia and then moved to Brookwood in 1988 - where he has been ever since. That is where I played and was fortunate enough to win a state championship when I was a senior.

I played for coach Lou Holtz at the University of South Carolina, then got into coaching when I got out. I have been at Brookwood, Walton High, Marietta and then at Ware County for the last two years. I also was at Presbyterian College for a semester before I got married.

Q: Banks County is your first head coach position, and what do you hope to accomplish?

Jones: Well the most important thing we want to accomplish to do is to build a program the right way. And that means treat the people here in the community; and the kids the right way while building their character and prepare them for the future as men. That is what I want to accomplish first and foremost.

Secondly, we want to win. We feel we are in a very competitive region and it’s a region we can be competitive in. We want to win and continue on Coach Armstrong’s success. He has done a good job the past four years and I give him a lot of credit on that, while coming in and picking up where he left off and continuing on to win a lot of ballgames.

The third thing is just to become a part of the community. My family and I are going to move here and put down some roots and hopefully be comfortable here for a while and make this home.

...

For more see The Banks County News.

Defined tags for this entry: 2011, bank county football, BCHS Sports

Trackbacks

Trackback specific URI for this entry

No Trackbacks

Comments

Display comments as (Linear | Threaded)

#1 Leopard Dad on 03/31/11 at 08:43 PM [Reply]

Are you kidding me? This is the best coach BCHS could hire? Way to go Mr. Wheaton for dropping the ball big time.

#2 Leopard Tracks on 03/31/11 at 08:50 PM [Reply]

Agreed. I know for a fact a coach with two decades of head coaching experience and triple digit wins applied for the job and did not even get interviewed.

#3 Excited Leopard on 04/01/11 at 08:17 AM [Reply]

Perhaps this could be some of the problems Banks County athletics has faced so many times in the past. Negative attitudes from parents and citizens who do nothing to help the program...but enjoy grumbling online and elsewhere. For one, I am very excited about this upcoming season and want to wish the new coach the best of luck. I would love to be able to tell him the community is backing him 100%, but we all know that would be a lie. I don't think you will ever please everyone, but I know most people are excited and really want the best for these leopard football players. I hope they have a great season and I am sure they will all do their very best. I doubt Mr. Wheaton intentionally recommended anyone for this position without truly believing they were the best one for the job. He isn't solely in charge of hiring anyway. He along with teachers, coaches, and PARENTS sat in on the interview process and then recommended a man to the board. There was an entire committee who interviewed. Just please quit grumbling and GIVE THE MAN A CHANCE!!! PLEASE!!

#4 Another Leopard Dad on 04/01/11 at 07:19 PM [Reply]

Doesn't change the fact much more qualified candidates applied and were available. This was the wrong hire.

#5 Roundball Leopard on 04/01/11 at 07:20 PM [Reply]

Can't wait to see how Wheaton screws up the boys basketball hire. As a long time supporter of the basketball program I know for a fact Wheaton has tried to run Ruth off for years. A few years back a group of parents stopped him. Maybe it's time we get rid of Wheaton. His time is long since gone by.

#6 Anonymous on 04/04/11 at 09:40 AM [Reply]

There is no hope for Banks County High School athletics as long as Wheaton is principal. This guy is clueless. I will be moving my family to Jefferson after no effort was made to keep Armstrong.

#7 Negative Parents are the problem on 04/04/11 at 10:34 AM [Reply]

I agree with Excited Leopard. You so called experts think you know what the best hire is. All you can do is complain and cut down other people. That's one of the problem at Banks County. People expect greatness and too many are negative without lifting one finger to help. The problem at Banks is simple- few athletes. Bill Parcels wouldn't be able to coach the Leopards past a first round playoff game. Please stop insulting this new coach who is probably excited about the opportunity. Stop insulting the principal as there are a lot more factors to consider than most of you realize- teaching positions, salaries with little money available, assistant coaches etc. If this was a good hire or not time will tell. Two things I know for sure. 1. You need to give this man at least a couple of years to get established before you get too critical. 2. He will do a better job than any of the people replying to this post.

#7.1 Waldo on 04/09/11 at 10:55 AM [Reply]

True Banks County has very few true athletes. Most kids come out for athletics for social reasons. Facilities are less than perfect. Can't host a basket ball tournament because seating capacity is to small. No home track meets because the track doesn't meet standards.The best sports are wrestling and cross country. Football is blessed by being in 8AA North which is easier to navigate than 8AA South. A new coach came come in and go 9-1 with a schedule that includes three single A schools and only one cross over game with East Jackson. Everyone give Mr. Wheaton and the committee a break, they hired the best candidate in their minds. As for the coach, give him a chance.

#7.1.1 leopard13 on 04/11/11 at 12:24 PM [Reply]

As a parent of an athlete at BCHS I beg to differ with you on our facitilies. Yes I know we can't host a lot of things, but have you seen our baseball/softball/tennis facitlites? They are by far the best facilites I have seen in the years I have been traveling to watch my children play high school sports! And also, our softball team made it to the Sweet Sixteen last year, so we do have athletes, we just need to right coaches to motivate them and keep them interested!! Parent involveement in Banks County is a huge factor in my opinion. Nobody wants to do anything different than it was done in 1950, and they get mad if a coach tries to tell their child any differently!! I think if we just stepped back and let the coaches do their jobs it would be a whole different ballgame in BC.

#7.1.1.1 BCHS22 on 04/11/11 at 09:20 PM [Reply]

I agree 100% with you, Banks County has talent it’s the motivation that our athletes lack and the winning attitude. I have said it once and I will say it again until we get consistency within our programs then we will continue down the same path of losing. Coach Armstrong came in and everyone instantly embraced him because he was a proven winner in several different programs and that’s what he brought to Banks County a consistency in winning. Coach Goodwin has consistently taken our softball and baseball teams to the playoffs, Coach Ruth has consistently taken the tennis team to regions and Coach McDuffie has consistently taken runners to state for cross country. Do you see a trend here? These coaches have consistently motivated our “talentless” athletes to show the rest of the region and state that unfortunately Banks County can no longer be counted as just another W and we are no longer the laughing stock of the region or state for that matter. Give this coach a chance to prove that he can continue the winning mentality that Coach Armstrong left us with.

#7.1.1.1.1 Anonymous on 04/12/11 at 11:49 AM [Reply]

Well said BCHS22. Nice to have a conversation where someone speaks their mind without being defensive. I truly hope this coach turns out to be just what the football program needed!

#7.1.1.1.2 Waldo on 04/13/11 at 04:17 PM [Reply]

How about Coach Hanley and the wrestling team? Godwin has only taken the girls softball to state 1 time.

#7.1.1.1.2.1 Anonymous on 04/14/11 at 11:35 AM [Reply]

Yes, the wrestling team is great, and I agree they don't get enough recognition. But it is not necessary to try to downplay another coaches successes to make your point. That is part of Banks County's problem, nobody is happy for anyone else's successes, even players on the same team!!
Goodwin came in his first season of coaching and took basically the same group of softball players from the year before that couldn't even make it out of Region play, and he took them all the way almost to the Elite 8. To me that is impressive! Why don't we try patting these coaches on the back every once in a while instead of cutting them down!!

#7.1.1.1.2.2 BCHS22 on 04/14/11 at 10:49 PM [Reply]

See my point exactly... We have so many programs on the rise I forgot about wrestling. Banks County is on its way up no matter what anyone thinks. We may not be "Jefferson" but WE ARE BANKS COUNTY AND IM PROUD TO SAY IM FROM HOMER GA AND A BANKS COUNTY GRADUATE.

#8 Anonymous on 04/06/11 at 10:49 AM [Reply]

I've giving him no years because my family is moving to Jefferson to play for a real football coach.

#8.1 Polly-Anna on 04/06/11 at 11:45 AM [Reply]

As the old saying goes....."Don't let the door hit cha in your butt on your way out"

#8.2 Go ahead and move on 04/06/11 at 01:40 PM [Reply]

Want to move? Good. With that kind of attitude, good riddance!

#8.3 anonymously anonymous on 04/14/11 at 11:35 AM [Reply]

For all of you who want to pick up so fast and move your kids to Jefferson, you may want to do your research!! Jefferson is the most political school in the state. My sister's kids went there!! I know several people from there. If you are not from there or have a high profile job, then good luck with your kid ever starting on a varsity team. Honestly, if you want your kid to be better at a sport, they are going to have to do the extra things, like work out outside of school, attend private lessons, go to camps in the off season, play other sports to work different muscles. Also, if you want sports in Banks County to get any better and want good coaches to stay.... then, look into what Banks County pays their coaches and assistant coaches. You will find that is where the issue lies, and why so many coaches leave. If you want to change this, then go to the board meetings and let your voice be heard!!!!! If you pay good coaches, they will stay. And, if you pay the assistant coaches, then you can build a good staff. Check out the difference in pay between football's assistant coaches pay at Banks County and compare it with other assistant football coaches pay from our region. Its sick!! Then, you will know why coaches leave and assistants leave!!!! Also, parent support is extremely lacking at Banks. Do those things and you will build a winning program, otherwise you will just be someone who jumps on the bandwagon at another school. You will always be an outsider at Jefferson, and will your kids will not get a fair shot.

#8.3.1 Anonymous on 04/14/11 at 12:29 PM [Reply]

The problem as an official once said is "Banks is a poor county". Check the salaries of the top school officials and you will discover why there is no money for top notch coaches. Jefferson is a more educated community that supports the programs there. Jefferson hosts basketball tournaments, wrestling tournaments, cross country meets, Boys State Track etc. Parental involvement is outstanding. When you raise the bar good things happen.

#9 who knows? on 04/06/11 at 12:38 PM [Reply]

I want to wish the new coach good luck and much success. I have to admit, I honestly thought and hoped an experienced head coach would get hired to run the program. My thoughts are experience is what we need as well as a good recruiter to pull in the best athletes in the county. Again, good luck Coach Jones I hope the first year goes well.

#10 Anonymous on 04/06/11 at 08:45 PM [Reply]

Banks County football has never been a worth anything. This hire will keep the Leopards on the same path to nowhere.

#11 Anonymous on 04/06/11 at 08:47 PM [Reply]

Talked with my BOE representative today and gave him an earful. Told him this hire was not acceptable.

#12 Anonymous on 04/10/11 at 07:46 PM [Reply]

Until Wheaton is gone and we have a board that understands how athletics works, then Banks County High School will continue to finish last in all the Leopards compete in. This football coach hire is a complete joke. Folks in this area are laughing at us. Are you listening Art Wheaton you worthless principal?

#13 BCHS22 on 04/10/11 at 11:11 PM [Reply]

It’s very interesting to see the scrutiny that Coach Jones is under and he hasn’t even coached his first practice yet alone his game. I personally think there may have been better suited coaches out there that we should’ve pursued, but guess what we didn’t and there is nothing that we can do to change it now. I think the best course of action at this point is to let Coach Jones prove himself because I promise you if this guy goes undefeated in the sub region and takes us to the playoffs his first year in town we’ll all be praising him on the other hand we all know what will happen if the season goes the other way as well a whole lot of I told you so’s. Let’s just all hold our breath collectively and wait and see what happens before we just break out the pitchforks and run him out of town.

#13.1 Waldo on 04/11/11 at 07:13 AM [Reply]

Agree with BCHS22. Banks County is in the North 8AA if in the South they would face Elbert County, Hart County, North Oconee, Jefferson, Jackson County, East Jackson, and Oglethorpe County. Probably be 1-5 against those teams. The schedule they do have ensures the new coach will be a winner!

#14 bchs grad on 04/12/11 at 11:55 AM [Reply]

Read these post and the problems are obvious. The reason bchs struggles is because we do not support the PROGRAM. Some get a coach they like and support the man. Some may support it for the 4 years your kids are there but what about after that?? How many continue to support the athletics after they graduate or after they no longer have a kid involved. Coach armstrong left on his own, he wasnt fired. He never purchased a home in Banks Co. If he truly wanted to change the culture in Banks co he was obviously smart enough to know that it wouldnt happen in 3-4 years. If you want to move your kid to Jefferson or anywhere else then I say take off. Go to Jefferson where they will win inspite of your kid not because of your kid. Parents around here start at an early age teaching their kids that they get beat because of this and that instead of telling them they need to work harder and get better. If you loose it is your fault, not the coach, not the ref, and certainly not because the facility is not up to par. Banks Co. has just as many athletes as anyone else, but its always someone elses fault they loose. Other kids are working year round to get better while ours expect to practice during the season only and most it doesnt bother them to loose. And its always soo easy to quit if we dont like the way things are going! Wish the new coach and all the current coaches the best and will continue to support BCHS regardless who the coach is!!

#14.1 Waldo on 04/12/11 at 03:21 PM [Reply]

Consider the Football Records

Banks County Historical Record is 176-261-4
Home Record 98-122
Road Record 78-139-3

Against Commerce 2-24
Against East Jackson 1-2
Against Jackson County 14-8
Against Jefferson 6-16

Definetly room for improvement.

#15 Anonymous on 04/13/11 at 07:48 AM [Reply]

Which is why you DON'T hire someone with no head coaching experience. Art Wheaton you worthless fool.

#16 Anonymous on 04/14/11 at 02:24 PM [Reply]

Thought things would have improved when we got Garrison off the school board and his son in law out of the high school, screwing things up. I'm tired of the fight. We are moving to Jefferson. Several families are. Going to have our sons play for another state championship coach. The rest of you can stay behind with loser Wheaton and the new head coach with no head coaching experience.

#16.1 Waldo on 04/14/11 at 06:28 PM [Reply]

Good for you! No more Banks County, Dawson County, East Hall, Fannin County, Rabun County and Union County in the very weak North. Get to see some good football down in the loaded 8AA South with East Jackson, Elbert County, Hart County, Jackson County, Jefferson, North Oconee, and not so good Oglethrope County. If the did the playoffs right 8AA North would never get a team in.

Add Comment

Name
Email
Homepage
In reply to
Comment: E-Mail addresses will not be displayed and will only be used for E-Mail notifications.

To prevent automated Bots from commentspamming, please enter the string you see in the image below in the appropriate input box. Your comment will only be submitted if the strings match. Please ensure that your browser supports and accepts cookies, or your comment cannot be verified correctly.

Enter the string from the spam-prevention image above:
Phone*

What is eight minus four?
: Remember Information? Subscribe to this entry
: Submitted comments will be subject to moderation before being displayed.

Jones named as coach

MainStreetNewsSports

Jones named as coach

Recent Stories

Recent Comments

We want to know:

Sister Sites

Archives

Keyword Tags